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Talkatora Stadium to sport a brand new look for the Games

NEW DESIGN: This stadium is slated to host the boxing event of the Commonwealth Games

While the Delhi Government and the Delhi Development Authority are still drawing up plans for the Commonwealth Games-2010, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) seems to be a step ahead with its proposal to revamp the Talkatora Stadium in the Capital being sent to the Commonwealth Federation for approval.

And with that, this stadium, which is slated to host the boxing event at the Commonwealth Games, will finally step into the 21st Century. From its interesting new entrance -- a symbolic forest of solar panels to generate energy -- to a state-of-the-art audio as well as projection system, the stadium is all set for a complete makeover.

"We looked at two aspects when we redesigned the stadium. One was the Commonwealth Games, of course, but the other issue was the legacy. The idea was that the stadium should be such that it will still be useable after the Games. We want to make it so attractive that even private organisations will be attracted to hold functions there,'' says Uday Bhat of Raja Aederi Consultants hired by the NDMC to redesign the stadium.

All gleaming steel, the approach to the stadium will definitely be very new age. Apart from being ecologically friendly, the entrance to the stadium is designed to put visitors in the right mood for the Games. With an emphasis on "fun'', the stadium will reflect the spirit of sports.

Looking at alternate energy sources seriously, the venue has been redesigned and oriented in such a way so as to take advantage of solar angles and wind direction. The roof of the stadium will also have solar energy panels.

This new design will cater to the swarms of media professionals coming to cover the event as well as the huge entourage that will accompany the athletes. Accommodating them in a new block, there will also be a separate facility for athletes to warm-up here.

"The stadium is often used for political party conventions. Lots of people then descend on the stadium, setting up office inside. We have tried to make a separate space for them with VIP lounges so that the main stadium is not used for this purpose,'' says Mr. Bhat.

With an emphasis on infrastructure, the stadium will also get a two-level parking.

"There will also be four screens so that the audience can get a close-up view of the action. These will be useful, even if there is a concert held in the stadium,'' he says.

The other sporting venue in the NDMC area, Shivaji Stadium, is also in for a facelift. Slated to be the practice pitch for hockey, there will be parking arrangements here for 800-odd cars. -- Mandira Nayar